Monarchy
Introduction to Monarchy
Monarchy, form of government in which one person has the hereditary right to rule as head of state during his or her lifetime; the term is also applied to the state so governed. The power of the monarch varies from absolute to very limited; the latter is exemplified in modern-day constitutional monarchies. Monarchs include such rulers as kings and queens, emperors and empresses, tsars, and kaisers.
Throughout history many monarchs have wielded absolute power, sometimes based on their presumed divinity. In ancient Egypt, for example, the pharaoh was deified, as were certain Oriental rulers. By the Middle Ages the monarchical system of government had spread over Europe, often based on the need for a strong ruler who could raise and command military forces to defend the country. European monarchies were dynastic, with the throne usually being passed on to the eldest son or nearest male descendant. Many medieval rulers obtained soldiers and weapons from the feudal lords and thus were dependent on the allegiance of the nobility to maintain their power (see Feudalism).
With the decline of feudalism and the rise of nation-states, power became centralized in the hands of the sovereigns. At first these rulers were supported by the growing middle class, or bourgeoisie, who benefited from a strong central government that maintained order and provided a stable atmosphere in which trade could flourish. By the 15th and 16th centuries absolute monarchs, such as King Henry VIII of England and King Louis XIV of France, ruled the countries of Europe. Abuses of power, as well as growing dissatisfaction among the bourgeoisie, helped bring about the end of many absolute monarchies; revolutions in England in the 17th century and in France in the 18th century were major landmarks in the limitation of absolute power.
The modern concept of a limited, constitutional monarchy arose slowly throughout much of Europe. During the 19th century, parliamentary authority grew while royal power diminished. Many Western monarchies ceased to exist after World War I, including those in Russia, Germany, and Austria. In later years others were replaced by Communist governments. Some constitutional monarchies still survive, primarily as symbols of national unity. Among the most enduring are those of the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Belgium.” (1)
Resources
Notes and References
- Information about Monarchy in the Encarta Online Encyclopedia